Boston Pediatrician Arrested on Charges of Child Pornography

Dr. Richard Keller, a pediatric endocrinologist at Boston Children's Hospital, was arrested earlier today and charged with the receipt of child pornography. He also worked as a pediatrics instructor at Harvard Medical School and served as a medical director at Phillips Academy for 19 years until resigning last year.

Prosecutors say Keller ordered over 50 DVDs of child pornography online, and a search of his Andover home uncovered over 500 photographs and up to 100 additional DVDs of child pornography. According to an affidavit reported by the Boston Herald, the case started with "with an investigation two years ago of an unidentified overseas movie production company that offered streaming video and DVDs of films featuring nude young boys engaged in food fights, showering, wrestling in bed and playing Twister."

The DVDs were allegedly shipped to Keller's home, a PO box in his name, and to the student health center at Phillips Academy. The Daily Mailreports Keller spent $2,695 on 19 videos between January 2009 and July 2011.

Keller was immediately placed on administrative leave when the charges were announced, and a representative from Boston Children's Hospital said no incidents had been reported from patients or their parents.

"Providing safe and appropriate care in a safe and protective environment is the absolute paramount priority for Boston Children's Hospital," said Rob Graham, National Strategy and Media Relations Manager.
...
"We will cooperate fully with the US Attorney's Office and all other involved regulatory and legal authorities," representatives from the hospital told BostInno.

Keller appeared in court this afternoon, but kept quiet. The Herald reports he mouthed "I love you" to an unidentified woman as he was escorted from the courtroom.

If convicted, Keller faces five to 20 years in prison, lifetime parole, and a $250,000 fine.